Edward f



[No Model.)

Patented Aug. 18, 1896,

INVENTOR WITNESSES:

UNITED STATES EDWARD F. GAFNEY,

PATENT OFFICE- OF NEWV YORK, N. Y.

DEVICE FOR MOISTENING POSTAGE-STAMPS, 800.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 565,974, dated August 18, 1896.

Application filed April 20, 1896.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD F. GAFNEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at No.

' 1584: Madison avenue, in the city, county,

and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Device for Moistening Postage- Stamps, &c. of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in devices for moistening postage-stamps, flaps of envelops, gummed labels, fingers, &c; and the objects for my improvement are to provide a simple and cheap device that will do the required service of an indefinite time without getting out of order, to concentrate the working part in the cap-piece so that it can be adjusted to vessels of various sizes and shapes, and to so construct the device that all the parts will be accessible for the purpose of cleansing,it being understood that the invention relates solely to the formation of the cap-piece, operating in combination with a vessel containing water and an endless band of absorbent material.

The device can be produced at a lower cost than anything of a similar character known to the inventor, can be manufactured in different sizes for commercial or home use, and can be adjusted to plain or ornamental vessels with necks made for the purpose.

. The device is constructed in the manner illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a blank pattern of sheet metal. Fig. 2 is the same formed into proper shape; Fig. 3, a top view of metal cap; Fig. 4, a sec .tional view of complete device with all parts in position; Fig. 5, a side view of same.

The blank metal, Fig. 1, is formed into proper shape by bending the sides F F at right angles and folding the sides G G under at points indicated by dotted lines, makinga Serial No. 588,400. (No model.)

square elevation, with F F as supports. The sides G G being folded under the elevation and between the supporting sides-fitting closely against the latter, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2-strengthens the supports,while also forming a guide. This part is then fastened on the cap with solder, rivets, or lugs and slots, as shown by E, Fig. 2, and H, Fig. 3, thus completing the cap-piece, J being an orifice in the cap.

In Fig. 4, A is a glass vessel to contain water, D is an endless band of absorbent material passing from the vessel upward through the orifice J in cap 3 and over the elevated part 2, forming a pad on which gummed surfaces, &c., are moistened, the elevated part of the cap-piece preventing the band from shifting involuntarily when in use, although the band can be readily moved to a new position with the fingers when necessary. The cap-piece being screwed on the neck of the vessel can be easily removed for the purpose of replenishing the water or cleansing the parts.

I am aware that prior to myv invention moisteners have been made for the purpose specified, operating with pads of absorbent material supplied with moisture from water vessels. I therefore do not claim such a combination broadly; but

WVhat I do claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In a device for moistening postage-stamps, &c., the cap-piece with orifice J, elevated platform with supporting sides F and guides G, operating in combination with the vessel A and endless band of absorbent material D, substantially as described.

EDWARD F. GAFNEY.

Witnesses SIMON F. CAssIDY, JAS. E. GAFNEY. 

